U.S. patent application number 12/384958 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-31 for leaf blower.
Invention is credited to David L. Hamann, John M. Minor.
Application Number | 20120131762 12/384958 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46125665 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120131762 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Minor; John M. ; et
al. |
May 31, 2012 |
Leaf blower
Abstract
The invention is a leaf blower with a handle extended from the
rear opposite the exhaust blower pipe. The exhaust pipe has a
turned down blower orifice extender. The leaf blower has an air
inlet on the upper surface. Various handgrips which operate with
the extended handle aids the movement of the blower pipe. The leaf
blower may be held at the operators side or attached with various
devices to a belt or neck harness with hooks or pommels on the
extended handle.
Inventors: |
Minor; John M.; (Ameila,
OH) ; Hamann; David L.; (Cincinnati, OH) |
Family ID: |
46125665 |
Appl. No.: |
12/384958 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/344 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G 20/47 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/344 |
International
Class: |
A47L 5/14 20060101
A47L005/14 |
Claims
1) A leaf blower comprising: a housing cover; said housing cover
encloses a motor and an air fan with a blower housing; said air fan
is operationally melded with said motor; said enclosed air fan has
an air inlet and an air exhaust portal; said air exhaust is
connected to a first opening of a blower pipe; said blower pipe
terminated in a second opening of said blower pipe; said air
exhaust with said blower pipe is placed on upper side of said
housing cover; a handle extending from said housing cover opposite
said air exhaust.
2) A leaf blower as in claim 1 wherein said second pipe opening
terminates in a turned down blower orifice.
3) A leaf blower as in claim 1 wherein said air inlet is on the
upper surface of said housing.
4) A leaf blower as in claim 1 wherein said handle has a pommel or
hook attachment.
5) A leaf blower as in claim 4 wherein said pommel or hook
attachment is placed on a harness with a pouch.
6) A leaf blower as in claim 5 wherein said pouch is attached to a
belt.
7) A leaf blower as in claim 5 wherein said pouch is attached to an
over the neck harness.
8) A leaf blower as in claim 1 wherein said handle has hooks and
loops attachment means.
9) A leaf blower as in claim 8 wherein said hooks and loops
attachment means are attached to a strap or harness.
10) A leaf blower as in claim 1 wherein a handlegrip upper length
connects with bend attachment to housing cover and with an outer
length to said extended handle.
11) A leaf blower as in claim 1 wherein a handlegrip connects with
an outer length to said handle.
12) A leaf blower as in claim 1 wherein a handlegrip is attached
with a forward connector between air intake and said air exhaust;
said handgrip has a second connector which attaches to housing
cover.
13) A leaf blower as in claim 1 wherein said handlegrip is a closed
circle handlegrip attached to said housing cover.
14) A leaf blower comprising: a housing cover; said housing cover
encloses a motor and an air fan with a blower housing; said air fan
is operationally melded with said motor; said enclosed air fan has
an air inlet placed on top of said housing cover; an air exhaust is
connected to a first opening of a blower pipe; said blower pipe
terminated in a second opening of said blower pipe; said second
opening of said blower pipe has an downward facing attached blower
orifice extender; said air exhaust and said blower pipe is placed
on upper side of said housing cover opposite a handle; said handle
which extends distal to housing cover and has a curved pommel or
hook which removably attaches to a holster receptacle; an
handlegrip which is connected with an outer length to said handle;
a variable speed trigger is on bottom surface of said handgrip;
said handlegrip terminates in an operator guide bar.
15) A leaf blower as in claim 14 wherein said air inlet has a cover
with vents.
16) A leaf blower as in claim 14 wherein said housing cover has an
extended support base.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The invention is concerned with leaf blowers. These devices
have a motor, fan, handgrip, and a directional spout to focus the
force of the created air movement. This created forced air flow is
used to move leaves and other small light debris. The invention is
concerned with the ergonomic properties of a leaf blower.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] Traditionally Americans have removed leaves fallen from
trees by with special leaf rakes. The removal of leaves is
desirable from an ascetic point of view as well as for lawn health.
Decaying piles of leaves can cause death and decay of grass or
other small plants. The use of leaf rakes is effective, but raking
is time consuming and requires great human effort. Raking leaves is
an unpopular part of life in America.
[0003] In recent decades leaf blowers have been manufactured and
sold. These blowers ease the burden of raking leaves. They have a
small electric or gasoline motor to power the enclosed fan. Air
from this enclosed fan exhaust is directed at the ground covered
with leaves. The air blast is used to clear the lawn of leaves and
blows them into a pile for disposal.
[0004] Leaf blowers are a great aid for removal of leaves. Leaf
blowers are sometimes used to move and clean small trash in
garages. However, leaf blowers can be heavy and difficult to
maneuver. In some cases the blowers are mounted as a backpack.
Usually the combination of motor fan blower housing with exhaust
tube is carried and maneuvered by a handgrip that is placed above
the motor fan blower housing combination. The weight and forces
generated by the leaf blower can quickly cause fatigue. The problem
to be solved is how to have a unit powerful enough to blow leaves,
and at the same time reduce the fatigue of the job of leaf blowing.
The present invention addresses this problem by placing an air
exhaust tube at the upper part of the housing and by placing an
extended handle behind the housing so that the force of the
exhausted air will aid the lifting of the leaf blower.
[0005] The improvements of the inventive leaf blower are the
placement of the handle distal from the motor and fan. This distal
placement of the handle is opposite the exhaust tube. The exhaust
blowing in a downward motion can act as a third class lever
lowering the apparent weight of the motor/fan housing component: A
pommel or boss extending downward from the handle can attach to an
article of clothing such as a belt so that downward blowing causes
an uplifting of the fan motor combination which eases the operation
of the leaf blower.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] The invention is a leaf blower with a housing cover which
encloses an air fan is operationally melded with a motor. The
enclosed air fan has an air inlet on the upper surface of the
housing and an air exhaust portal. The air exhaust is connected to
a first opening of a blower pipe which blower pipe terminated in a
second opening of said blower pipe. The second pipe opening
terminates in a turned down blower orifice. The blower pipe is
placed on upper side of the housing cover. The leaf blower has a
handle extending from the housing cover opposite the air exhaust.
The handle has a pommel or hook attachment placed on a harness with
a pouch attached to a belt or to an over the neck harness.
Optionally, leaf blower has a handle with hooks and loops
attachment which are affixed to a strap or harness. The handlegrip
of the leaf blower connects with bend attachment to the housing
cover and with an outer length to the extended handle. The
handlegrip may connect solely with an outer length to the handle.
The handlegrip may be attached with a forward connector between air
intake and the air exhaust and have a second connector which
attaches to housing cover. The handlegrip may be a closed circle
handlegrip attached to the housing cover.
[0007] A preferred embodiment is a leaf blower with a a housing
cover enclosing a motor operationally melded with an air fan. The
enclosed air fan has an air inlet placed on top of the housing
cover and an air exhaust is connected to a first opening of a
blower pipe. The blower pipe terminated in a second opening of the
blower pipe with an downward facing attached blower orifice
extender. The air exhaust and the blower pipe are placed on upper
side of the housing cover opposite a handle. That handle extends
distal to housing cover and has a curved pommel or hook which
removable attaches to a holster receptacle. The leaf blower has a
handlegrip, with a variable speed trigger on bottom surface of the
handgrip, and is connected with an outer length to the handle. The
handlegrip terminates in an operator guide bar. The preferred
embodiment leaf blower may have and inlet cover with vents and an
extended support base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a generic current art leaf blower 101.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows the inventive leaf blower in a top view A and a
side view B.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows various embodiments for handgrips and handles
of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 demonstrates the vector forces of the present
inventive leaf blower A and the current art leaf blower B.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows 3 variations A, B, and C of a belt harness
which can receive the curved pommel or hook on extended handle.
[0013] FIG. 6 holster receptacle which can receive the curved
pommel or hook.
[0014] FIGS. 7 A, B, C, and D illustrates several of the various
means of reversible attachment of the extended handle of the
inventive leaf blower.
[0015] FIGS. 8 A and B show the operational advantage of the
inventive leaf blower.
[0016] FIG. 9 illustrates the ergonomic advantage of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 10 shows a perspective of preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
[0018] FIG. 11 shows a modification of preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a generic current art leaf blower 101. A
housing cover 111 encloses a motor with an operationally melded air
fan. A housing cover 111 has handgrip 127. Housing cover has an air
inlet 105 and an upper air blower pipe 215. Optionally in current
art an air blower pipe is placed in the lower part of the housing
shown in outline 251. Blower orifice extender 210 may be turned
upward 117 or downward 118 and may be affixed to terminal end 119
of air blower pipe 215 or 251.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows the inventive leaf blower 201 in a top view A
and a side view B. FIG. 2 A shows housing cover 203 which encloses
a motor 211 and an air fan 209. Air fan 209 is operationally melded
with motor 211. Air fan 209 has an air inlet 205 and an air exhaust
portal 227. Air exhaust portal 227 is connected to a first opening
216 of a blower pipe 215. Blower pipe 215 terminates in a second
opening 213 of blower pipe 215. Blower orifice extender 210 is
turned downward and is affixed to terminal end 213 of air blower
pipe 215.
[0021] First air exhaust opening 216 of blower pipe 215 is placed
on upper side 218 of housing cover 203 opposite extended arm
(handle) 239. Extended handle 239 extends distal to housing cover
203 opposite air exhaust portal 227 and may have a curved pommel or
hook 240 which can removably attach to a holster receptacle. See
FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows various embodiments for handgrips and handles
of the present invention as in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 A shows side view of
one embodiment of inventive leaf blower 201. Housing handgrip 221
connects with bend attachment 226 to housing cover 203 and distally
to a outer length 225. Outer length 225 connects with extended
handle 239. Extended handle 239 may have hooks and loops attachment
means such as in FIG. 7. Housing handgrip 221 is opposite air
exhaust portal 227. An operator holds housing cover 203 with melded
motor and fan physically away from himself. This first embodiment
shows that operator's hand will be mostly above handle 239.
[0023] FIG. 3 B shows side view of a second embodiment of inventive
leaf blower 201. Handgrip 323 connects to a outer length 321 which
connects with extended handle 239. Extended handle 239 may have
hooks and loops attachment means. Handle 239 attaches to housing
cover 203 opposite air exhaust portal 227. An operator holds
inventive device 201 physically away from himself. Handgrip 323 may
have an extension 375 shown in outline.
[0024] FIG. 3 C shows side view of a third embodiment of inventive
leaf blower 201. Handgrip 423 connects forward connector 422 to
housing cover 203 optionally between the air inlet 205 and air
exhaust portal 227. Handgrip 423 has a second connector 421 which
attaches to housing cover 203 between air inlet 205 and extended
handle 239. Extended handle 239 has a hooks and loops attachment
means 241 and extends distal to housing cover 203 and has a curved
pommel or hook 240. Pommel or hook 240 will removable attach to a
holster receptacle. FIG. 7 show several of the various attachment
means that affix to extended handle 237.
[0025] FIG. 3 D shows side view for the embodiment which shows
closed loop grip 525 attached between the air inlet 205 and air
exhaust portal 227.
[0026] FIG. 4 demonstrates the vector forces of the present
inventive leaf blower A and the current art leaf blower B. FIG. 4 A
shows housing cover 203 which encloses a motor with an
operationally melded enclosed air fan 209. Housing cover 203 in
FIG. 4 A has an air inlet 205 and a upper air blower pipe 115.
Note, extended handle 239 extends distal to housing cover opposite
air blower pipe 115. When extended handle 239 is extended rearward,
the center of gravity is approximately as shown as spot 666.
[0027] FIG. 4 B is a generic current art. Note handgrip 127 is
placed generally on the top of housing cover 111. Note, center of
gravity 777 is forward the center of gravity 666 of inventive
device 201. Air blowing out of blower pipe 115 in both A and B
produces leveraged force G with current invention A and leveraged
force H in current art B.
[0028] In FIG. 4 B the leveraged force H is essentially opposed by
the hand of the operator located on grip 127. The bulk of the
weight is carried by the hand of the operator. In contrast, the
present inventive art has the center of gravity located at point
666 because handle 239 is placed to the rear of housing cover 203.
The leveraged lifting force G aids in lifting of the housing 203 by
third class lever action thus lessening the apparent weight of the
blower. Turned down nozzle 225 aids the upward forces G and H.
[0029] An addition increase of upward force can be obtained with an
air inlet on the top of the housing as in 205.
[0030] The primary inventive element of the present invention is
that it is counterintuitive to place the handle of a leaf blower
behind the housing unit. Intuitively, the handle is placed on top
of the housing as is in the current art.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows 3 variations A, B, and C of a belt harness
which can receive the curved pommel or hook 240 on extended handle
239.
[0032] FIG. 5 A shows an ordinary waist belt 555 around the torso
of the operator 557. Note pouch 565 is attached to belt 555 and is
placed in this instance at the side of operator 557.
[0033] FIG. 5 B shows shoulder support 559 over operator 577. In
this instance the pouch 565 is at the side of operator 557.
[0034] FIG. 5 C shows a waist belt 555 and an neck strap 563. In
FIG. 5 C both the waist belt 555 and the neck strap 563 support the
holster receptacle 565.
[0035] FIG. 6 holster receptacle 565 which can receive the curved
pommel or hook 240 on handle 239. Holster receptacle 565 is
attached with belt hoop openings 677 to a belt 555. Belt 555 is
completed as a closed belt with generic joiners 669. Holster
receptacle 565 may be attached with a clip. (Not shown)
[0036] FIGS. 7 A, B, C, and D illustrates several of the various
means of reversible attachment of the extended handle 239 of the
inventive leaf blower 201. Leaf blower 201 affixes to body supports
such as 555, 559, or 563.
[0037] FIG. 7 A show a top partial view 201 G, and a side view 201
H of inventive device 201. Extended handle 239 has a hole 341 with
loop 343 passing through. A snap click 345 can affix by snapping
through loop 343 and attach to body supports such as 555, 559, or
563.
[0038] FIG. 7 B shows handle 239 of the inventive leaf blower 201
with button attachment 353. Keyhole slot holder 355 has a keyhole
shaped hole 357 which can affix to button attachment 353.
[0039] FIG. 7 C shows that handle 239 has a blade 347 with blade
hole 349. A snap click 345 can affix by snapping through blade hole
349 and attach to body supports such as 555, 559, or 563.
[0040] FIG. 7 D embodiment shows the preferred reversible
attachment means. Pommel or hook 240 will removably attach to a
holster receptacle 565 attached to body supports such as 555, 559,
or 563.
[0041] FIGS. 8 A and B show the operational advantage of the
inventive leaf blower 201 which has center of gravity approximately
as shown as spot 666. Operator 557 is in an ergonomic desirable
position with hand 801 at side of operator 557. Operator 557 can
easily move leaf blower 201 to side and direct down turned nozzle
210 of blower pipe 215.
[0042] FIG. 8 B shows that the use of preferred embodiment can be
shifted from a hand held operation to a holster 565 supported
operation. Outer length 321 has an upper handgrip 323. Handgrip 323
can be moved by hand 801 to direct down turned nozzle 210 of blower
pipe 215.
[0043] FIG. 9 A illustrated the ergonomic advantage of the present
invention wherein the operator 557 holds the inventive leaf blower
201 at his left side with his left hand 801. Notice the air exiting
from turned down nozzle 210 of blower pipe 215 creates upward
vector shown as C1. Vector force C1 acts through center of gravity
666 making a smaller vector force C2. Note there is ergonomically
desirable force A1 is directed in a down manner and not away from
the body as seen as vector force A2. Note, there is minimal forward
force vector B2 affecting operator 557.
[0044] FIG. 9 B shows generic current art leaf blower 101 with
center of gravity 777 forward center of center of gravity 666 of
inventive device 201 This position is desirable so that operator
557 can maneuver the leaf blower over a wide arc of operation in a
manner analogous with the maneuvering of the inventive leaf blower
202 shown in FIG. 8 B. Operator 557 holds housing cover 203 with
melded motor and fan physically away from that operator 557. Note
force D1 is downward rather the generally upward as is vector force
C1 in FIG. 9 A. Note, vector force (apparent weight) A5 is greater
then vector force A1. Vector force B4 is greater than vector force
B1 (9A). Likewise, vector force A3 is greater than vector force A2,
and vector force B3 is greater then vector force B2.
[0045] FIG. 10 shows a perspective of preferred embodiment 701 of
the present invention. Housing cover 203 encloses a motor 211 and
an air fan 209. Air fan 209 has an air inlet 205 on upper side 702
and an air exhaust portal 227. Extended handle 239 extends distal
to housing cover 203 and has a curved pommel or hook 240. Curved
pommel or hook 240 will removably attach to a holster receptacle
565. Handle 239 is connected with outer length 321 to handlegrip
323. Handlegrip 323 terminates with operator guide bar 361.
Operator 557 holds housing cover 203 with melded motor and fan
physically away from himself. A turned down blower orifice 210 may
be affixed to terminal end of air blower pipe 215. An extended
support base 707 allows leaf blower 701 to remain in an upright
position. Variable speed trigger (pistol type trigger) 711 is on
the bottom surface of handgrip 323. Trigger-holding button 713 on
the top surface of upper length 323 holds the variable speed
trigger in place when the user adjusts the motor to the desired
speed. A second variable speed rotary knob 715 on the rear of the
main housing adjusts the power range. Note the increased area of
the air intake port 205 on the top of the housing to allow for
increased fan size.
[0046] FIG. 11 shows a modification of preferred embodiment 701
shown in FIG. 10. Housing cover 203 encloses a motor 211 and an air
fan 209. Air inlet 205 on upper side 702 of housing 203 has an air
inlet cover 717 and air is sucked to air fan 209 through vents 719.
This optional air vent cover may be useful in certain environments
which may have water or other undesirable solid material in the
ambient air.
* * * * *